As night falls and darkness sets in, ghostly apparitions appear on the sides of the buildings.

Organ music, reminiscent of a deep, dark sanctuary, fills the air.

Suddenly, throngs of adults and children lining Main Street in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom — most dressed in costumes ranging from comical to downright scary — fall silent.

Off in the distance, down near the Walt Disney World train station, the clippity-clop, clippity-clop of a horse’s hooves on the concrete street can be heard.

As the sound of the galloping horse gets closer, people bend their necks, trying to get a better look at the approaching site.

Then, in a flash, you find out what the excitement is all about: Ichabod Crane’s fabled Headless Horsemen races right by.

Welcome to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

The Headless Horseman’s mad dash down Main Street is one of the many highlights during a night filled with Halloween fun, all done with an emphasis on light-hearted, rather than scream-filled entertainment.

WDW’s Halloween festivities kick off what is arguably the most wonderful time of year at the Vacation Kingdom of the World.

Walt Disney WorldCinderella Castle comes alive as a sparkling ice castle during the Christmas season in the Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separate ticketed event, which means regular Magic Kingdom guests leave early so the many ghosts and goblins can have the place to themselves.

What they’ll find during the night are several trick-or-treat stations set up around the park. Many of your favorite attractions — including, of course, the Haunted Mansion — are open with shorter wait times.

Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade includes Disney’s beloved characters — wearing costumes over their costumes — who are joined by many of the stars of the aforementioned Haunted Mansion attraction.

The night concludes with a bang — Disney’s creative staff pulls out all the stops during the can’t-miss spectacular Happy HalloWishes fireworks show.

Try to position yourself as close to Cinderella Castle as possible — it turns into a veritable kaleidoscope of color.

One of the most enchanting aspects of the night is the glistening Cinderella Castle, which is covered in shimmering holiday lights, giving it the appearance of a genuine ice castle.

Guests can enjoy all the hot chocolate they can drink and chow down on as many sugary holiday cookies they’d like during the evening.

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade is a definite highlight, featuring all the Disney characters in their colorful holiday finery — we’ve always loved the Gingerbread Men with their flat backs as well as the marching toy soldiers. The parade is topped off by an appearance by the one and only Santa Claus.

Of course, a special holiday fireworks display rings down each special evening.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will take place on the following dates, from 7 p.m. to midnight:

During November and December, don’t forget to check out all the Christmas festivities at the other three Disney theme parks.

At Hollywood Studios, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is absolutely stunning; Epcot features its Candlelight Processional, while Animal Kingdom has a great Jingle Jungle Parade during the afternoon.

In addition, most of the on-property resorts are decorated to the hilt and are worth dropping by for a visit.